Jammu and Kashmir: Landslide on Vaishno Devi Yatra track leaves 31 dead, yatra halted

The landslide was reported amid severe rains recorded in the area.

Rescue teams are currently working hard to detect the presence of more individuals trapped under debris.

According to reports, the yatra, participated by a large number of Hindu pilgrims every year, has been halted.

The yatra board wrote on X: "In view of recent incessant rain and inclement weather, all the yatries are hereby advised to replan their yatra to the shrine once the weather improves."

The landslides reportedly left a large number of properties and bridges collapsed.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the situation in many parts of Jammu province is "quite serious".

He said he would be taking the next flight to Jammu. However, he later posted on X that due to the closure of Jammu airport, he couldn't reach Jammu. "I'm closely monitoring the situation & in touch with the teams on the ground in the division," he posted on X.

He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the phone and briefed him about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting earlier in the day regarding flood preparedness and directed all departments to remain ready.

Major rivers Tawi and Ravi are flowing above the danger mark.

In Kathua, Ravi has overflowed at many places, resulting in the flooding of low-lying areas

Recent natural calamities in the Himalayan belt

The flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district left at least 60 people dead this month.

A cloud burst and resultant massive landslide in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village in Uttarakhand earlier this month left at least four people dead.